Surface-engineered Ag/TiO$_2$/graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites on cotton textiles for multifunctional photocatalytic, UV shielding, and antibacterial performance

Glažar, Dominika (avtor), Tomšič, Brigita (avtor), Jerman, Ivan (avtor), Chouhan, Raghuraj S. (avtor), Šuligoj, Andraž (avtor), Zorc, Matija (avtor), Pintar, Albin (avtor), Kovač, Janez (avtor), Krajnc, Andraž (avtor), Ruiz-Zepeda, Francisco (avtor), Simončič, Barbara (avtor)

Ternary noble metal/semiconductor heterostructures are emerging as versatile platforms for multifunctional materials, but their integration into textiles remains limited. In this study, ultrasound-assisted sol–gel synthesis of Ag/TiO$_2$/graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) nanocomposites directly on cotton fabric was developed. Two synthesis routes, i.e. in situ and ex situ were carried out at 20 °C and 70 °C to simultaneously achieve photocatalytic, UV protection, and antimicrobial properties. In situ synthesis at 70 °C resulted in the highest loading of TiO$_2$ and Ag nanoparticles (NPs), leading to superior multifunctional performance. The enhanced photocatalytic activity and photostability of the nanocomposite under solar light irradiation were attributed to a Type-II heterojunction between TiO$_2$ and gCN, the Schottky barrier formation at the Ag/TiO$_2$ interface, and the localised surface plasmon resonance of the Ag NPs. The synergistic effect of gCN and Ag NPs on UV-A absorption combined with TiO$_2$-mediated UV-B shielding resulted in a UV protection factor of 90. The dual effect of Ag$^+$ and Ag$^0$ species provided complete bacterial inactivation of S. aureus and E. coli. The level of Ag NPs remained below the cytotoxic threshold, ensuring excellent cytocompatibility. These results establish Ag/TiO$_2$/gCN nanocomposite-functionalised cotton as a promising candidate for advanced biomedical and technical textile applications.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: textile, multifunctional properties, nanocomposites, g-C$_3$N$_4$, titanium dioxide, silver
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: NTF - Naravoslovnotehniška fakulteta ; FKKT - Fakulteta za kemijo in kemijsko tehnologijo
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 23 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 721, art. 165446
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-182835
• UDK: 677
• ISSN pri članku: 0169-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.165446
• COBISS.SI-ID: 260439043
• Datum objave v RUL: 25.05.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Applied surface science
• Skrajšan naslov: Appl. surf. sci.
• Založnik: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0169-4332
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3283215

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: tekstilije, večfunkcionalnost, nanokompoziti, g-C$_3$N$_4$, titanov dioksid, srebro